What Does First Position Mean in Poker?
First position is the seat immediately to the left of the dealer or button in a poker game, also known as “under the gun” (UTG). This player acts first in the betting round, which can be a strategic disadvantage.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term First Position
You might hear this term in conversations about seating strategy or when discussing the order of play in poker games, especially during hand analysis.
In-Game Example
Imagine you’re sitting in first position in a Texas Hold’em game. The cards are dealt, and you must decide whether to bet, check, or fold before any other player has acted.
Strategy / Tips
- Best Practice: Be cautious with your opening range from first position. Play only strong hands to compensate for the disadvantage of acting first.
- Common Mistake: Playing too many hands or weak hands from first position, which leads to difficult post-flop decisions.
- Pro Tips: Use your position to gather information on opponents’ tendencies in later rounds. Tighten your range and exploit players who overvalue their position.
Differences playing over the table vs online: Online, you face more anonymous opponents, which may affect your ability to leverage position. Over the table, physical reads can influence your strategy from first position.
For an exciting experience, try online poker at your convenience.
Alternative Names
Under the gun (UTG)
FAQs
Q: Why is first position considered a disadvantage?
A: Because the player must act without information on other players’ actions, making it harder to make informed decisions.
Q: How does first position affect my starting hand range?
A: It’s generally advisable to play a tighter range from first position due to the lack of information and increased likelihood of facing raises.
